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| Vicky Pryce 'sought to bring Chris Huhne down' | Vicky Pryce 'sought to bring Chris Huhne down' |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| Vicky Pryce told a journalist that her former husband, Chris Huhne, asked her to take his speeding points. Her claim was made because she wanted to destroy his political career in revenge for his leaving her for another woman, a court was told. | Vicky Pryce told a journalist that her former husband, Chris Huhne, asked her to take his speeding points. Her claim was made because she wanted to destroy his political career in revenge for his leaving her for another woman, a court was told. |
| Pryce, 60, wanted to "nail him", the prosecution said, and tried to trap the former energy secretary into admitting the allegations in secretly recorded telephone conversations. | Pryce, 60, wanted to "nail him", the prosecution said, and tried to trap the former energy secretary into admitting the allegations in secretly recorded telephone conversations. |
| She sought to "bring him down", a jury heard, as Pryce went on trial at Southwark crown court after pleading not guilty to perverting the course of justice over the charge that she agreed to take three penalty points her husband incurred on the M11 motorway in March 2003. | She sought to "bring him down", a jury heard, as Pryce went on trial at Southwark crown court after pleading not guilty to perverting the course of justice over the charge that she agreed to take three penalty points her husband incurred on the M11 motorway in March 2003. |
| Huhne dramatically altered his plea to guilty on Monday and has resigned as Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh, Hampshire. | Huhne dramatically altered his plea to guilty on Monday and has resigned as Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh, Hampshire. |
| Pryce had adopted a "very special defence" – that of marital coercion – said the prosecutor, Andrew Edis QC. Her case is that Huhne pressured her. | Pryce had adopted a "very special defence" – that of marital coercion – said the prosecutor, Andrew Edis QC. Her case is that Huhne pressured her. |
| The speeding allegation emerged in the Sunday Times and Mail on Sunday in May 2011, after Huhne left Pryce for PR adviser Carina Trimingham. | The speeding allegation emerged in the Sunday Times and Mail on Sunday in May 2011, after Huhne left Pryce for PR adviser Carina Trimingham. |
| Pryce, of Clapham, south London, was "not only distressed but extremely angry and she wanted revenge", said Edis. | Pryce, of Clapham, south London, was "not only distressed but extremely angry and she wanted revenge", said Edis. |
| He added: "Her revenge in the end was to pass the story of the 2003 points to the newspaper so they would publish it and destroy his political career. | He added: "Her revenge in the end was to pass the story of the 2003 points to the newspaper so they would publish it and destroy his political career. |
| "It was Pryce's plan that she would get her revenge by putting an end to all that [Huhne's career]." And eventually, said Edis, her plan worked. | "It was Pryce's plan that she would get her revenge by putting an end to all that [Huhne's career]." And eventually, said Edis, her plan worked. |
| Pryce first spoke to the Mail on Sunday, though they did not publish at the time. She then spoke to the Sunday Times. | Pryce first spoke to the Mail on Sunday, though they did not publish at the time. She then spoke to the Sunday Times. |
| The jury was read emails exchanged by Pryce and the Sunday Times political editor, Isabel Oakeshott, in which they discussed how the story could be published and end Huhne's career. | The jury was read emails exchanged by Pryce and the Sunday Times political editor, Isabel Oakeshott, in which they discussed how the story could be published and end Huhne's career. |
| Oakeshott suggested a "major" two-part series by Pryce, ghostwritten by the journalist, which would inflict "maximum and fatal damage on Chris". | Oakeshott suggested a "major" two-part series by Pryce, ghostwritten by the journalist, which would inflict "maximum and fatal damage on Chris". |
| Oakeshott wrote: "This is what I strongly recommend you do, given your dual objectives of bringing Chris down, if you can, without seriously damaging your own reputation in the process." | Oakeshott wrote: "This is what I strongly recommend you do, given your dual objectives of bringing Chris down, if you can, without seriously damaging your own reputation in the process." |
| In the email exchange, during April 2011, Pryce was warned of the danger of facing criminal proceedings but told it was probably a "minor risk". | In the email exchange, during April 2011, Pryce was warned of the danger of facing criminal proceedings but told it was probably a "minor risk". |
| Pryce later replied: "I have no doubt, as I definitely want to nail him more than ever, actually, and would love to do it soon." | Pryce later replied: "I have no doubt, as I definitely want to nail him more than ever, actually, and would love to do it soon." |
| Oakeshott advised her: "I think you can make yourself out to be very much the honourable one, saying it has very much been on your conscience ever since, saying you knew it was wrong but you felt bullied in to it." But Pryce wanted to remain anonymous. | Oakeshott advised her: "I think you can make yourself out to be very much the honourable one, saying it has very much been on your conscience ever since, saying you knew it was wrong but you felt bullied in to it." But Pryce wanted to remain anonymous. |
| Edis told the jury of eight women and four men that the defence Pryce had adopted said that if a wife committed an offence in the presence of her husband, she had a defence if she had been deprived of her own free choice by pressure exerted by her husband. | Edis told the jury of eight women and four men that the defence Pryce had adopted said that if a wife committed an offence in the presence of her husband, she had a defence if she had been deprived of her own free choice by pressure exerted by her husband. |
| The jury had to decide if Pryce was "weak-minded" and forced by Huhne into accepting the driving points, or was a "strong minded and manipulative" woman acting of her own free will, said Edis. "Focus not on whether she was persuaded but whether she was in a situation where she had a choice." | The jury had to decide if Pryce was "weak-minded" and forced by Huhne into accepting the driving points, or was a "strong minded and manipulative" woman acting of her own free will, said Edis. "Focus not on whether she was persuaded but whether she was in a situation where she had a choice." |
| Things "did not go smoothly," and with Pryce wishing to remain an anonymous source, it was decided she would record conversations with her former husband. | Things "did not go smoothly," and with Pryce wishing to remain an anonymous source, it was decided she would record conversations with her former husband. |
| "It is a set-up. But Mr Huhne did not fall for it," said Edis. | "It is a set-up. But Mr Huhne did not fall for it," said Edis. |
| During the conversations Huhne "denied repeatedly that he had asked her to take the points and said it was all ridiculous". | During the conversations Huhne "denied repeatedly that he had asked her to take the points and said it was all ridiculous". |
| The jury listened as the tapes of the four calls were played. During the heated exchanges Pryce constantly accused Huhne of lying, and made unflattering references to Trimingham. Huhne repeatedly denied asking her to take his points, saying it was "all ridiculous" and accused his former wife of "behaving in an entirely unbalanced way" and of "maliciously briefing the press" to ruin his career. | The jury listened as the tapes of the four calls were played. During the heated exchanges Pryce constantly accused Huhne of lying, and made unflattering references to Trimingham. Huhne repeatedly denied asking her to take his points, saying it was "all ridiculous" and accused his former wife of "behaving in an entirely unbalanced way" and of "maliciously briefing the press" to ruin his career. |
| In one exchange, Huhne warned her: "Look, there is no way there is any evidence of this story unless you decide to give some legs to it by saying something, OK?" Pryce replied: "All right, I will do my best." Then added: "I just cannot lie. I have to be very careful because the last thing I want is for it to come out and I've actually perjured myself, or whatever the fuck it is that you do." | In one exchange, Huhne warned her: "Look, there is no way there is any evidence of this story unless you decide to give some legs to it by saying something, OK?" Pryce replied: "All right, I will do my best." Then added: "I just cannot lie. I have to be very careful because the last thing I want is for it to come out and I've actually perjured myself, or whatever the fuck it is that you do." |
| Huhne replies: "Look, there's no question of that, OK?" He adds: "The last thing you want is to have some half-baked story running in the Sunday Times saying, alleging you've taken points for me and then find that you're being rung up by the DVLC and getting a policeman asking whether you've actually … broken the law." | Huhne replies: "Look, there's no question of that, OK?" He adds: "The last thing you want is to have some half-baked story running in the Sunday Times saying, alleging you've taken points for me and then find that you're being rung up by the DVLC and getting a policeman asking whether you've actually … broken the law." |
| Pryce replies: "I know that, Chris. That's why … it's one of those things that always worried me when I took them, you made me take them, in the first instance." Huhne says it is not sensible to have such conversations on the phone and asks to meet. | Pryce replies: "I know that, Chris. That's why … it's one of those things that always worried me when I took them, you made me take them, in the first instance." Huhne says it is not sensible to have such conversations on the phone and asks to meet. |
| Huhne's denials weren't "for the benefit of truth", said Edis, but rather "for the benefit of anybody listening". | Huhne's denials weren't "for the benefit of truth", said Edis, but rather "for the benefit of anybody listening". |
| Edis said Pryce had agreed to "play ball" at the time of taking the points. The jury would have to consider whether she was the kind of person, in self control and [with an] ability to choose, … who would be deprived of choice. | Edis said Pryce had agreed to "play ball" at the time of taking the points. The jury would have to consider whether she was the kind of person, in self control and [with an] ability to choose, … who would be deprived of choice. |
| Was she Edis asked, "the bullied little woman deprived of choice" or was this "a script and a fallback plan". The jury would have to "make a judgment about the kind of person she actually is," he said. | Was she Edis asked, "the bullied little woman deprived of choice" or was this "a script and a fallback plan". The jury would have to "make a judgment about the kind of person she actually is," he said. |
| The trial continues on Thursday. | The trial continues on Thursday. |
| Evidence on taped telephone calls | Evidence on taped telephone calls |
| Angry and sometimes swearing, Pryce secretly taped four phone calls with her ex-husband hoping he would admit he asked her to take his speeding points. But there was no outright admission. | Angry and sometimes swearing, Pryce secretly taped four phone calls with her ex-husband hoping he would admit he asked her to take his speeding points. But there was no outright admission. |
| The jury listened as Pryce could be heard on the tapes, accusing Huhne of lying, and complaining about being "doorstepped" by journalists investigating the story. On several occasions the economist makes derogatory references to Trimingham, the PR adviser whom Huhne left her for. | The jury listened as Pryce could be heard on the tapes, accusing Huhne of lying, and complaining about being "doorstepped" by journalists investigating the story. On several occasions the economist makes derogatory references to Trimingham, the PR adviser whom Huhne left her for. |
| In one call, Pryce, who the prosecution claim tipped off two Sunday newspapers about the 2003 speeding points story, tells Huhne: "We used to be husband and wife. I took your points, you know that full well. I am prepared, though, to lie for you as I have done all along. But they are pressurising me all the fucking time. I can't even get home without having people outside my fucking door, whether its to do with your fucking man or whether it's to do with your fucking points," she says, in an unflattering reference to Trimingham. | In one call, Pryce, who the prosecution claim tipped off two Sunday newspapers about the 2003 speeding points story, tells Huhne: "We used to be husband and wife. I took your points, you know that full well. I am prepared, though, to lie for you as I have done all along. But they are pressurising me all the fucking time. I can't even get home without having people outside my fucking door, whether its to do with your fucking man or whether it's to do with your fucking points," she says, in an unflattering reference to Trimingham. |
| At one point, Huhne says the story must have come from Pryce or someone close to her. | At one point, Huhne says the story must have come from Pryce or someone close to her. |
| Pryce: "Why would I tell anyone about me taking your points? It's not in my interest, are you a moron?" Huhne replies: "Well, I suggest it's not in anybody's interest that you tell nonsense to the papers and I think you should be very cautious about it". | Pryce: "Why would I tell anyone about me taking your points? It's not in my interest, are you a moron?" Huhne replies: "Well, I suggest it's not in anybody's interest that you tell nonsense to the papers and I think you should be very cautious about it". |
| Pryce says: "It's my reputation that's on the line, just as much as yours. Can you explain who the fuck told them this?" | Pryce says: "It's my reputation that's on the line, just as much as yours. Can you explain who the fuck told them this?" |
| In another exchange Huhne says the press have printed untrue stories about him and Trimingham breaking up. | In another exchange Huhne says the press have printed untrue stories about him and Trimingham breaking up. |
| Pryce: "Oh, well, I am so pleased for you that you are still with that man of yours. I don't give a shit about that because you have nothing to do with me". | Pryce: "Oh, well, I am so pleased for you that you are still with that man of yours. I don't give a shit about that because you have nothing to do with me". |
| She asks if Trimingham knows about the points. | She asks if Trimingham knows about the points. |
| Pryce: "You mean you haven't told Carina? You mean Carina doesn't know. Swear to me that Carina doesn't know I took your points". | Pryce: "You mean you haven't told Carina? You mean Carina doesn't know. Swear to me that Carina doesn't know I took your points". |
| Pryce repeatedly says she cannot believe Huhne is denying she took his points. He accuses her of "briefing the press … because you told me you wanted to ruin my political career". | Pryce repeatedly says she cannot believe Huhne is denying she took his points. He accuses her of "briefing the press … because you told me you wanted to ruin my political career". |
| Pryce: "Really, when did I tell you I wanted to ruin your political career?" | Pryce: "Really, when did I tell you I wanted to ruin your political career?" |
| Huhne: "Absolutely fine, I know what you're up to." | Huhne: "Absolutely fine, I know what you're up to." |
| He accuses her of "behaving in an entirely unbalanced way…" Pryce responds: "Unbalanced way? Unbalanced way?" | He accuses her of "behaving in an entirely unbalanced way…" Pryce responds: "Unbalanced way? Unbalanced way?" |
| In all four calls, Huhne is concerned about phone conversations. He warns her not to tell "false stories" and compares the situation to "rubbing Aladdin's Lamp" adding, "it's very very simple, if you don't want to appear in the newspapers, don't talk to journalists". | In all four calls, Huhne is concerned about phone conversations. He warns her not to tell "false stories" and compares the situation to "rubbing Aladdin's Lamp" adding, "it's very very simple, if you don't want to appear in the newspapers, don't talk to journalists". |
| After Huhne has hung up, Pryce talks to an unnamed female. The woman asks: "What's there?" | After Huhne has hung up, Pryce talks to an unnamed female. The woman asks: "What's there?" |
| Pryce: "Not much, he hasn't admitted it". | Pryce: "Not much, he hasn't admitted it". |
| Woman: "Nearly enough though, isn't there? | Woman: "Nearly enough though, isn't there? |
| Pryce: "Nearly enough." | Pryce: "Nearly enough." |
| Woman: "You've got him really wound up". | Woman: "You've got him really wound up". |
| Pryce: "Yes, oh yes". | Pryce: "Yes, oh yes". |
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